Examining The Scripture LX: The Davidic Covenant

In this series of short examinations of the Old Testament have now reached God's covenant with David in 1 Chronicles 17 and David's response. David wants to build God a permanent dwelling place or temple for the Ark of the Covenant. God does not grant this request. God goes as far as to ask the rhetorical question, “did I ever say build me a house?” The temple is more something David wanted to build. God, as we see in the New Testament believer is more interested in the fact that He dwells in our hearts and minds rather than a physical abode.

God tells David that the next member of his family (offspring) would build the temple (Solomon). By implication it can be assumed that God would also prosper the kingdom because building projects take a labor force and finances/money. He even alludes to this in verse 8, “Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth” and verse 11, “your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.” This throne of this kingdom will be established “forever”. Unlike the Sinai covenant that was conditional, this covenant is is an unconditional covenant made between God and David. God promises David/Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David (tribe of Judah). The Davidic Covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. God’s guarantee of fulfillment rests solely on God’s faithfulness which is immutable and unchanging (i.e. guaranteed).

We now see a shift from reference to Solomon directly to Solomon indirectly. Simultaneously, we see a shift to direct reference to Jesus and the eternal kingdom/kingship reference. This is the sixth and last covenant of the Old Testament. We see the covenants continually narrowed down to the Davidic line from Eden, to Noah, to Abraham, to Sinai, to the Levitical and now to Davidic (Payne, Gaebelein 396). The “Forever” King would be a “son” of David. What God promises is a dwelling place for David that is actually also for God, "I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you” and “I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever." These statements from God can be construed as meaning Solomon but due to the statement “forever” these statements more directly reflect and imply the King, Jesus Christ. This looks like an excellent example of a metonymy or a name/idea that can be used as metaphor in place of something else or implied two different ways and both be true and applicable [very clever].

David’s reaction? The obvious and sensible thing to do when God tells you that one of your offspring would be part of an established kingdom that will last forever is to pray, praise and worship the Lord. This is exactly what we find David doing along with a healthy serving of bewilderment. David humbles himself, “Who am I?” and “You have looked upon me as though I were the most exalted of men”. This statement of David ironically echoes the statement of Elizabeth to Mary in Luke 1:42-43 "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” David sings the attributes of an unfathomable God and the unmerited grace given to David. David accepts it and is profoundly humbled and elated, he just doesn’t understand “why him”. What we realize reading this: there is nothing we do that warrants God’s grace. It is a gift just as Jesus settling our account with sin by dying and rising again was also a gift: unmerited, undeserved and unfathomable from a human perspective. The Master becomes the servant to save and serve the servants to God. It is the ultimate self-emptying (kenosis) and paradox.

Payne, J. Barton, and Frank Gaebelein. "Nathan's Prophecy." The Expositor's Bible Commentary (Volume 4) 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1988. 395-396. Print.